PO BOX. 3277 Valentine. NSW 2280 AUSTRALIA
61+ (2) 40160242
About us
In 2007 several members of our family were diagnosed with Alport syndrome. We became aware of the need for an Australian support group for patients and families affected by Alport syndrome, a genetic kidney disease.
In August 2008 the Alport Foundation of Australia, a non profit organisation, was formed.
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We hope a greater number of people with Alport syndrome will become aware of their condition years sooner than they might otherwise have been. This will not only give patients the opportunity to take health promotion steps to slow down their decline, but will also give them access to information on any emerging preventative treatments, under the guidance of our board which includes several eminent and highly qualified Australian clinicians and researchers.​
Our Mission
The Alport Foundation of Australia is dedicated to supporting patients and families by providing a platform where they can access information, resources and connect with other patients within Australia and around the world.
We aim to raise awareness about treatments, inheritance patterns, latest research and family planning choices for the future generations.
The Alport Foundation of Australia promotes and funds Australian research projects that will improve the treatments and outcomes for those living with or affected by Alport syndrome and one day find cure.
Our Board
The Alport Foundation of Australia is grateful for the generous support and expertise offered by the Board of Directors.
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Dr David Blatt - Chairman
PhD Physics.
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Professor Meredith Makeham - Secretary
BMed(Hons) MPH(Hons) PhD FRACGP GAICD
Associate Dean, Community and Primary Health Care. Faculty of Medicine and Health.The University of Sydney.
Mrs Elizabeth Blatt - Treasurer
BSc Pharmacy.
Dr Alison Blatt - Board Member
BMed (Hons) MS FRACS FUSANZ
Associate Professor (University of Newcastle). Specialist Urologist, Newcastle, Alison is the Director of Research, Department of Urology, John Hunter Hospital.
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Dr John Makeham - Board Member
BMed(Hons) PhD FRANZCR
Radiologist PhD in Neurosciences (University of Sydney).
Senior Staff Specialist, Department of Medical Imaging, Royal North Shore Hospital.
Mr Bryson Vaughan - Board Member
Board Member of Cystic Fibrosis NSW. He has held a variety of positions including President and Vice President. Company Director of technology companies, and has considerable expertise in helping charities better engage with their communities.
Professor Rodney J Scott - Board Member
Phd, DSc, FRCPath, FHGSA, FFSc(RCPA)
Rodney is the Director of the Division of Molecular Medicine at Pathology North, Newcastle, and the Professor of Medical Genetics at the University of Newcastle. He leads a team of researchers examining the genetics of common diseases and a team of scientists engaged in the diagnosis of inherited predispositions to disease.Head of School of Biomedical Sciences
Professor Judy Savige - Board Member
MB BS FRCP FRACP FRCPA PhD MSc Dip Mgmt
Professor of Medicine, University of Melbourne Judy is a clinician-researcher at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Northern Hospital. She has worked on Alport syndrome for more than 20 years. Her lab’s current interests are in developing new treatments for Alport syndrome such as chaperones, and stem cell therapy and correcting the gene mutations. Her colleagues are also interested in describing further eye features of Alport syndrome.
Dr Hugh McCarthy - Board Member
PhD FRACPCH FRACP
Paediatric nephrologist and clinical researcher within the University Of Sydney and Sydney Childrens Hospitals Network. Hugh established and runs the NSW paediatric renal genetic clinical service. His research focuses on the care of children living with rare and genetic renal disease and the study of the pathogenesis of nephrotic syndrome both genetic and immune mediated. Hugh developed the UK National Registry of Rare Renal Disease (RADAR) as part of his PhD; he is developing the equivalent in Australia – Australian Registry of Rare and Genetic Kidney Disease
Mrs Dianne Shearman - Board Member
Patient and family representative
Mr Paul Shearman - Board Member
Family representative
